Understanding Anthropology optional syllabus for UPSC Civil Services Mains Examination
Anthropology has always been favorite among UPSC aspirants ever since it was introduced by UPSC as an optional. With an average passing percentage of more than 10% over the last 10 years, and toppers regularly scoring 300+ (even 350/500 by Ayush Sinha and 362/500 by Ashima Mittal).
Anthropology Syllabus for UPSC Mains Optional has elements from science and humanities both, thus it becomes a popular choice among both science and humanities graduates. Moreover, this optional subject has easily accessible notes, current affairs ready reckoner, case studies, examples, statistics, etc. which are helpful in enriching the answer. Also, preparation is easier due to a simpler and easily understandable syllabus (once it is represented clearly).
Why is it important to understand the syllabus ?
If you want to reach your destination but you don’t have a map and directions then can you ever reach that destination? Never. The same is the reason we need to understand the syllabus. It is our guide to the world of the subject and should help us in understanding the major sections and topics in the correct flow. Other than that it also helps us in:
- Understanding the subject, its span and finally choosing it as optional
- Comparative analysis of the subject with other subjects
- Strategizing the flow of topics for one’s preparation for civil services
- Covering the syllabus and its topic holistically while preparing
- Understanding the interconnection of the topics of the subject
Finally, without a syllabus either you can get lost in the realm of the subject or you can become a scholar of the same. But unfortunately, you want neither of them. All you want is to become a civil servant and understanding the syllabus is the first step towards it.
What is Anthropology and its syllabus?
Anthropology is simply the study of human beings, especially of their origin, development, customs, and beliefs. From the definition itself, one can understand the familiarity and simplicity of the subject but unfortunately, that is not reflected once you go through the syllabus designed by UPSC. This does not mean that the syllabus itself is complex but it is haphazardly presented by UPSC. For example, Franz Boas, the founding father of American anthropology, gave 4 fold division of the subject, which still remains relevant and applies to university and professional discipline. But this popular and most accepted approach is absent from the representation of the syllabus of Anthropology by UPSC.
Henceforth, despite being immensely scoring and high performing, the syllabus for anthropology for UPSC may not appear easy to comprehend to a new aspirant.
Please find the syllabus of Anthropology on UPSC website and confirm the above information at Click Here
The Correct Approach to Anthropology Syllabus for UPSC
You must have understood the incorrect representation of the syllabus of Anthropology by UPSC by now. So, let us understand the syllabus in the most scientific and comprehensive manner.
Broadly the syllabus of Anthropology for UPSC can be divided in 5 sections across paper 1 and Paper 2. The sections along with their components can be understood by the following self-explanatory diagram:
Each section that is mentioned above can be further understood in the light of the syllabus through the following tables:
| SYLLABUS OF ANTHROPOLOGY FOR UPSC - PAPER 1 | |
|---|---|
| 1 | Meaning, Scope and development of Anthropology, Relationships with other disciplines, Main branches of Anthropology, their scope and relevance, Human Evolution and the emergence of Man, The biological basis of Life, Principles of Prehistoric Archaeology Chronology, Cultural Evolution |
| 2 | Nature of Culture, Society, Marriage, Family, Kinship |
| 3 | Economic Organization |
| 4 | Political Organization and Social Control |
| 5 | Religion |
| 6 | Anthropological theories |
| 7 | Culture, Language and Communication |
| 8 | Research methods in Anthropology |
| 9 | Human Genetics |
| 10 | Concept of human growth and Development |
| 11 | Relevance of menarche, menopause, and other bio-events to fertility , Fertility patterns and differentials |
| 12 | Applications of Anthropology |
| SYLLABUS OF ANTHROPOLOGY FOR UPSC - PAPER 2 | |
|---|---|
| 1 | Evolution of Indian Culture & Civilization, Palaeo, Ethno-archaeology in India |
| 2 | Demographic Profile of India |
| 3 | Structure & Nature of Traditional Indian Social System, Caste System in India, Sacred Complex and Nature-Man-Spirit Complex, Impact of Buddhism, Jainism, Islam and Christianity of Indian society |
| 4 | Emergence, growth, and Development in India |
| 5 | Indian Village, Linguistic and religious minorities and their social, political and economic status, Indigenous and exogenous processes of socio-cultural change in Indian society |
| 6 | The tribal situation in India, Problems of the Tribal Communities |
| 7 | Problems of exploitation and deprivation of SC, ST and OBC, Social change and contemporary tribal societies |
| 8 | Tribe and nation-state, Impact of Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, Islam and other religions on tribal societies |
| 9 | History of administration of tribal areas, Role of anthropology in tribal and rural development |
If you wish to understand the syllabus of Anthropology for UPSC in its all depth and details with correct rearrangement then please Click Here.
If you prefer to learn through videos then you may follow Fresh Look on Anthropology UPSC Syllabus at Click Here for a better understanding of the syllabus.
Hope that the above information would be helpful to you in understanding Anthropology optional syllabus for the UPSC Civil Services mains examination and eventually would help you in finding your map towards the destination of being a civil servant.
We would be more than happy to entertain your inquiries and doubts at vaidsics@gmail.com.
Some quick FAQs related to anthropology for students
Q1. Is Anthropology Syllabus very vast?
A1. No. The anthropology syllabus is optimum and can be completed within 3-4 months if studied with a good strategy.
Q2. Is Anthropology a scoring subject in UPSC?
A2. Yes, anthropology is a very scoring subject for UPSC. One can easily score 300+ with good strategy, answer writing practice, revision, and use of anthropology-related current affairs.
Q3. Is anthropology a static subject and does not involve current affairs at all?
A3. Perceiving any subject as a stationary subject means that the development in that subject has stopped or in other words, it is a dead subject. Anthropology is often perceived in the market as a stationary subject but it is not. Yes, there are many sections in the syllabus that seems stationary but unless and until you don’t update them with current updates on the topic, they are incomplete.